First of all, feel better, Lou!
Now re CPC....
I've yet to see anyone play it safe on 16, and I hope I never do. On second thought, check that, I hope I do see such, cuz that would mean I've played there a bunch more!
Seriously, who among us would ever lay up there unless we (a) really can't make the 210 yard carry, on our best shot; and (b) play there so much that the "once in a life-time, I made it over, if it goes in my picture goes up on the locker-room wall with the 6 others who've done so" thrill doesn't matter? Sorry, I just can't see laying up there unless one or both of those things are true.
As for yours truly, jeez you're a stickler Lou... two inches from the green edge qualifies as off the green? Hey, it was my one decent shot the entire day and I want full kudos. I got it on that baby and it was the first time ever I kept it below the hole. Given the wind we had that one was of the top 10 shots of my life.
BTW, who made par going left? I heard of easy 4's being made that way, but no threes....
And damn right there's room right of the trees on 17 - that's the garden spot my caddie told me about my first time there with JB, Gib, Strawn. Takes a darn good shot to get there, but if you succeed, as you see it's a quite simple shot in... Remember how nutso I was going over your tee shot? That is the best approach in - it's just very hard to get to.
Re #9, for big hitters I'd agree: wood off the tee is only the right play if pin is front right. With the normal top shelf pin, it just seems not worth it at all... even reaching front right isn't worth the risk, given that's 3-putt city. For us players of more modest length though, with the trap unreachable, it remains a very viable play. I know I've had pretty good success doing so anyway! But then again, remember I can't reach the bunker... But come to think of it, while being in that bunker is a tough shot, well.... I don't think I'd HATE being in there either... One can get a lot of spin on that kinda shot, perhaps more than being 5 yards short like I was... hmmmm... the thought of being in that bunker still isn't enough to make me not hit wood. But then again, remember my distances.
Now one final thing: PLEASE don't tell me you're going to take the Goodalian approach and criticize the hedges in front of the first tee! Yes, they're not perfect, but SOMETHING has to protect the heavily travelled 17 mile drive there... I guess it is sorta strange walking down through them, but to me they sure beat the hell out of what might be there! And to say they block the view, well... perhaps they do if you're 3 feet tall!